Okane, okane, okane

Learning Nihongo (日本語, Japanese language) is a must but knowing Japanese currency is a priority. Off course I am talking about money (お金 okane) . First, I let myself be familiarized with Japanese yen. When I did know the value of yen I was really surprised how expensive commodities in Japan. Imagine, I was really hesitated to buy something for 100 yen because in our money it's like 40 pesos. For example, a 100 yen hamburger of Mc Donalds, in the Philippines you can have a hamburger, drinks and a fries for that same amount. Every time I go for shopping I always convert the cost to Philippine peso, my aunt gave me a word, "if you are always like that, you cannot buy anything" she said. Well, she's right, now I don't regret if I bought something for 100 yen after all, it's just 100 yen.

Japanese Yen (日本円)
The Japanese monetary unit is yen. ¥ is the symbol used for International, while in Japan it is 円(En). Introduced by the Meiji government the yen ( 円 en) was established as the official unit of currency in 1871. The name en was used because it means round, as opposed to the oblong shape of previous coinage. Japanese currency is designed to facilitate easy use by people with sight impairments. All of the bills and coins are in different sizes.

Japanese Bills
1,000 yen (千円 sen en) - features world-renowned bacteriologist Noguchi Hideyo, on the reverse side is the Mt. Fuji. Original Size: 150 x 76 mm

5,000 yen ( 五千円 go sen en) - has Higuchi Ichiyo, one of Japan's earliest feminist novelist, reverse side are Irises. Original Size: 155 x 76 mm

10,000 yen ( 一万円 ichi man en) - features the Meiji Period educator Fukuzawa Yukichi. Reverse side is a Phoenix from Byodoin temple. Original Size: 160 x 76 mm.

2,000 yen ( 二千円 ni sen en) - are a rare sight today. This bank note was issued to commemorate the G-8 Economic Summit in Okinawa. Shureimon Gate in Naha, Okinawa; Scene from "Genji Monogatari" (Tale of Genji). Original Size: 154 x 76 mm.

Japanese coins
Japanese coins are dated by Emperor and the year of their reign. There are 6 denominations in Japanese coins:
1 yen (一円 ichi en) - Obverse: Young Tree. Reverse: Value, year of minting. Material: 100% Aluminum, Weight: 1g, Diameter: 20mm, Edge: Smooth, Year of First Issue: 1955

5 yen ( 五円 go en) - Obverse: Ear of rice, gear, water. Reverse: State title, year of minting. Material: Copper 60 - 70% / Zinc 40% - 30%, Weight: 3.75g, Diameter: 22mm, Center hole diameter: 5mm, Edge: Smooth, Year of First Issue: 1959

10 yen ( 十円 ju en) - Obverse: Hōōdō Temple, state title, value. Reverse: Evergreen tree, value, year of minting. Material: Copper 95% / Zinc 4 - 3% / Tin 1 - 2%,Weight: 4.5g, Diameter: 23.5mm, Edge: Milled (1951), Smooth (1959), Year of First Issue: 1951 (Bronze coin milled type), 1959 (Bronze coin plain type)

50 yen ( 五十円 go ju en) - Obverse: Chrysanthemum, state title, value. Reverse: Value, year of minting. Material: Copper 75% / Nickel 25%, Weight: 4g, Diameter: 21mm, Center hole diameter: 4mm, Edge: Milled, Year of First Issue : 1967

100 yen ( 百円 hyaku en) - Obverse: Cherry Blossom, state title, value. Reverse: Value, year of minting. Material: Copper 75% / Nickel 25%, Weight: 4.8g, Diameter: 22.6mm, Edge: Milled, Year of First Issue: 1967 .

500 yen ( 五百円 go hyaku en) - Obverse: Paulownia, state title, value. Reverse: Value, bamboo, mandarin orange, year of minting. Material : Copper 72% / Zinc 20% / Nickel 8%, Weight : 7g, Diameter : 26.5mm, Edge: Milled, Year of First Issue : 2000